Museum pilots a 'go green bag'

PUBLISHED: 16:39 13 March 2008 | UPDATED: 06:57 30 May 2010

Mike Perry (left) and Steve Schorah with the new canvas bags

DUNMOW Museum has launched a reusable canvas town bag. The bag, with a pattern of Dunmow High Street on the front, has the backing of the Chamber of Commerce and may soon be available in every shop in the area. Museum manager Steve Schorah said: The bag

The bag, with a pattern of Dunmow High Street on the front, has the backing of the Chamber of Commerce and may soon be available in every shop in the area.

Museum manager Steve Schorah said: "The bag is available now from the museum on Mill Lane but we hope to roll it out to all the shops as soon as possible, that is why we have gone with such a classic High Street design."

Shopowners now have the option to promote the go green bag by requesting to sell them.

Mr Schorah said: "We would like shops to have a separate collection box or secure tin in which to collect the money from every Monday.

"It would be easy for shop owners and workers to sell the bag because all the money would be kept separate."

The bag was unveiled to the chamber at the monthly meeting on Monday and traders seemed extremely pleased with it.

Chairman Mike Perry said: "It is a good design and I hope that shops across the board will take it on. It will last a long time and also act as a souvenir of Dunmow, it shows the town's solidarity."

So far 200 bags have been ordered, 100 long handle and 100 short handle ones, and they will be available from the museum on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm. Ten bags were sold even before the official launch.

The Arts Centre manager Jackie Rom has already said that the Haslers Lane community centre will be stocking the bag and said it was a marvellous idea.

The canvas bag is currently priced £5.99 and Mr Schorah believes that the investment will be a lifetime one.

He said: "Not only is it good for the environment, but it represents the town and some of Dunmow's great history.